2026 Citroen E-Dispatch Reviews

And when they call it the Picasso, there's even less chance it will be conventional. After all, in his paintings, eyes and noses and everything else were rarely where they're usually found. So you step into the Picasso, seven seats, just slightly longer than a Toyota Corolla sedan, loaf-shaped but stylish, prepared for something unusual. And yes, Citroen delivers. The Picasso is definitely quirky, but in a refreshing way; it's easy to adapt to, pleasant to live with, a clever design which works efficiently. For example, the steering wheel rotates around a fixed hub, so the driver's airbag is always positioned perfectly. Now that's a bright idea, taken straight from Citroen's smaller C4 hatchback, which is also the source for the Picasso's mechanical underpinnings. No normal T-bar gear lever here. Instead, the auto selector is a thin chrome wand high on the right-hand side of the steering column. Two curved levers behind the wheel allow you to flick up or down through the gears. Air conditioning controls are on the right-hand side of the dashboard, so your co-driver can't fiddle with them, but the front passenger does get his or her own digital temperature read-out situated on the far left; along with up and down buttons to make that side of the car hotter or colder. The handbrake is . . .  well, actually the Picasso doesn't have one. Instead, the 'parking brake' sets itself when you park, and disengages automatically when you drive away. As back-up, there is a little chrome lever mounted on top of the dashboard, right in the centre. In front of that is a perfume diffuser, so the Picasso always smells sweet. This is a French car, remember. There are picnic tables for the middle row of seats, a drinks cooler up front, a rechargeable torch down the back. The windscreen is so large, and sweeps back so far, there are pull-down sunshades at the top of the glass. So it's certainly different, but not in a negative way. Instead of seeming gimmicky and confusing, its unusual features are handy, and fit its can-do nature perfectly. It's the same story on the road. At first the Picasso can feel bulky and somewhat daunting, the driver has no idea where that sloping snout ends, and the tail seems a long way away but after a while you become used to it. Anyway, there are parking sensors which beep a warning before you get too close to obstacles. The Picasso comes with either petrol or diesel engine, and surely the smarter of the pair is the diesel, sharing its engine with Citroen's larger (and dearer) C5 sedan plus various Peugeots. What a sweet machine; strong on pulling power, big on refinement, excellent when it comes to fuel economy. With six forward gears on hand, it can quickly select the right ratio and summon up a healthy dose of torque for spirited acceleration. The petrol version gets just a four-speed automatic. What the Picasso doesn't like is to be driven fast on a twisty, rough road. The suspension just isn't happy with that sort of silliness.   Snapshot Citroen Picasso HDi Details: Seven-seat people-mover with 2.0 litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine. Power 100kW. Torque 270Nm. Six-speed automatic. Features: Stability control system, anti-lock brakes, seven airbags, alloy wheels, airconditioning, cruise control. Cost: $44,990. (Petrol version $39,990) Rivals: Renault Grand Scenic, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Tarago, Kia Carnival, Chrysler Voyager. For: Refreshing, efficient design. Excellent diesel engine. Against: Perhaps too unusual for some. Summing up: French flair on wheels. Overall: 4 stars  

Just a week after US President George W. Bush told a Sydney media conference about how battery cars that didn't look like golf carts were being developed, the real things were displayed at the world's largest motoring show. General Motors showed off its Flextreme from its European subsidiary Opel. It's a small commuter car with an electric-diesel hybrid that can travel 55km on a single charge before switching to fuel. It is a concept car, meaning it may or may not go into production. Volvo will also unveil its plug-in hybrid concept at the show. Called the Recharge and based on its C30 hatchback, it uses four separate electric motors to power each wheel, augmenting a 1.6-litre four-cylinder Flexifuel engine. Meanwhile, Volvo said a fully charged model can travel about 100km before it needs to be recharged. And it is not a slug. It can reach 0-100km/h in nine seconds on the way to a top speed of 160km/h. VW is claiming fuel consumption of as little as three litres per 100km for its spiritual successor to the original people's car, the Beetle. The Up concept is a miniature four-seat city car powered by a rear-mounted two or three cylinder engine,  the first rear-engined car VW has made since the original Beetle. VW said the car would be low-priced and a fuel miser. It has claimed 3.5litres/100km with a target of reducing that to less than 3litres/100 km. That's better than Australia's current best the Toyota Prius hybrid at 4.4litres/100km, the Citroen C4 diesel at 4.5litres/100km and the Honda Civic Hybrid at 4.6litres/100km. It is also better than the new-age Fiat 500, which will have a diesel model with a claimed consumption of 4.2litres/100km and the next generation Smart car. VW boss Dr Martin Winterkorn said: “This is VW reinventing the Volkswagen. It is what the brand stands for — mobility for everyone.” Dr Winterkorn said show visitors' reaction to the car would decide whether the Up goes into full production. Volkswagen Group Australia managing director Jutta Dierks said: “If the philosophy stays the same as it was for the original Beetle, to be a car affordable to everyone, then it will certainly be a good fit into our market.”  Volkswagen Up 2 or 3-cylinder engine Fuel economy of 3.5l per 100km. Available in 2011. GM Fiextreme Electric-diesel hybrid. Can travel 55km on battery power before switching over to diesel fuel.   Volvo Recharge Four electric motors plus a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. Can travel 100km on battery power before re-charge needed. Top speed of 160km/h.  

The wide-eyed French wonder has a hybrid HDi drivetrain from which Citroen claims fuel consumption of just 3.4L/100km. As well as saving fuel, the concept aims to cutback on resources used in its construction. The cabin is made up of just over 200 parts, which Citroen says is about half the usual number. Peugeot's sleek 308RCZ concept gives a big nod towards a future body style for the 308 family. The ultra-light 2+2 coupe uses aluminium, polycarbonate windows and carbon-fibre body parts and is powered by a 160kW 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo jointly developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW. Mitsubishi will unveil its Concept-cX compact SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Concept-cX uses interior trim materials made from bamboo and other plant-based resins. The concept is powered by a new high-output, high-efficiency 1.8-litre diesel engine, featuring a variable geometry turbocharger for optimum boost control and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter, and Mitsubishi's new twin-clutch sport-shift transmission which will be a key element in the Lancer Evo X. GM will show environmentally-conscious concepts at Frankfurt, including the HydroGen4 fuel-cell car, the Volt all-electric car and further adaptions of its EcoFlex technology. The HydroGen4 produces an electrical output of up to 93kW backed by a 73kW electric motor. GM claims it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 12 seconds and has a top speed of about 160km/h. It will also show off its E-Flex strategy, which combines various fuel-efficient propulsion systems in the same vehicle shape and design to suit local demands, in an Opel Corsa small car. Of the production cars being launched at the show, the Mini Clubman wagon is likely to rate highly. The five-door model has double rear doors and a suicide door on the driver's side. The suicide door, which is rear-hinged, is designed to allow passengers easier access to the back. Renault will also show a mini wagon with its Clio Sport Tourer, due to go on sale in Europe early next year. Halfway between concept and reality is the 2008 World Rally Car concept from Subaru. It is both a pointer to what the next WRC will be like and an insight into how the new WRX STI, which will go on sale in Australia early next year, will look.  

The famed DS was one, the 2CV another and the front-wheel-drive 1934 Traction Avant was something of an outstanding revelation in both looks and handling. Next month it will continue to entrench its reputation as a leading designer by unveiling the head-turning four-seater convertible concept called the C5 Airscape at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Citroen says the Airscape is effectively the spiritual successor to the DS Decapotable convertible that was built from 1958-73. Look closely, though, and you will see the new C5 sedan in the car's profile, and the front and rear design treatment. The concept has a carbon-fibre folding roof and striking styling and is crammed with innovative technology. It has a high waistline, ribbed panels, C6-style concave rear window and sleek, aerodynamic profile. The car is further enhanced by the 19-inch alloys, large air-intakes, twin chrome exhausts and long incisive headlights. The automatic folding roof has an integrated sunroof and textile lining and is designed to look and feel like a conventional canvas roof. Inside there is a sumptuous interior of dark-brown leather and chrome. The dashboard echoes modern-day Citroens and the fixed-centre steering wheel boss is taken from the C4. Citroen has also made sure the car not only looks good but is also a showcase for innovation. Fuel economy is managed by an UrbanHybrid system that includes a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors. This system allows on-board equipment, such as the airconditioning and stereo, to be powered by energy recovered during braking and deceleration. Engine torque can be temporarily boosted when required. The UrbanHybrid system reduces CO2 emissions by 24g/km on the combined cycle. It also has stop-start technology that switches the engine off when the car is stationary, before starting it again once the accelerator is pressed. The efficient 155kW/440Nm 2.7-litre HDi V6 engine can run on bio-diesel. The engine is shared with other Citroen and Peugeot models as well as the Land Rover Discovery. In the Airscape the turbodiesel has a particulate filter, further minimising any environmental effect. The Airscape also has a traction control system called Snow Motion, which Citroen says delivers performance similar to that of a four-wheel-drive car.  

Cars will inevitably be taxed according to their exhaust emission ratings, the Australian motor industry has conceded. Conservationists are calling on South Australia to take the lead in slapping a tax on vehicles where the fee rises according to the amount of emissions. The tax would be at new-sale time or on annual registration renewals. The Motor Trade Association acknowledged the growing interest in vehicles that are less harmful to the environment. “At some point, governments will tax vehicles on their emissions and greenhouse gas,” MTA state executive director John Chapman told The Advertiser . “We are not advocating that, but it will come.” Mr Chapman said the swing to smaller cars and the flattening off of large-car sales was due to motorists' concern about fuel economy. “People are more environmentally aware and wanting to know how we can reduce the (environmental) footprint and what they can do,” he said. Mr Chapman said motor vehicles were only a partial contributor to greenhouse gases “but our industry needs to be concerned about these issues.” Some countries already have vehicle taxes depending on each model's carbon dioxide emissions. In Australia, each new car must carry a sticker on the windscreen showing its officially-rated fuel consumption in litres/100km and its “greenhouse” C02 emissions in grams/km. The latter figure determines levels of taxing overseas. The Conservation Council in SA wants a similar system here. “It has to be user pays,” said council chief executive Julie Pettet. “If you are responsible for pollution you are going to have to pay.” Ms Pettet said such taxing should not be just punitive but also reward those doing the right thing such as using public transport. She added the taxes should be a federal activity.       Top-rated Toyota Prius: 1.5-litre petrol and electric (4.4litre/100km) Fiat Punto: 1.4-litre petrol (5.7) Peugeot 207CC: 1.6-litre petrol (5.8) Citroen C3: 1.6-litre petrol (6.2) Mercedes-Benz A150: 1.5-litre petrol (6.7) Holden Astra: 1.8-litre petrol (7.4) Honda Civic: 1.8litre petrol (6.9)  

The C5 is one of the best value premium cars on the market, occasionally some cars such as this one tend to slip under the radar. Every now and then something will be booked into the test garage and you automatically think why has this been so stealth-like? The Citroen C5 is an example, which uses the upgraded 2.2-litre diesel assisted by twin turbochargers. This is a $50k sedan loaded with charm, sophistication, economy and performance. Frankly it has a lot of boxes ticked and for $53,990 represents value-plus at the entry end of the premium sedan market. Together with smart looks the C5 is an effortless drive around town and on the highway. You literally feel like you've just plonked yourself down into your favourite armchair or that cosy pair of slippers that has served well in the chilly months. If the C5 is not the cushiest ride in the $50k-plus saloon segment, then whatever is has well and truly evaded the radar and will never reveal itself. The ride comfort is supreme and there is little that will not be soaked up by the neat Hydractive suspension that uses an automatic self-levelling feature. The Hydractive 3 suspension is the piece de resistance of the C5 that cushions lumps, bumps and imperfections with almost perfect efficiency. Even if you were suffering from a bruised tailbone it would still feel like you're on a magic carpet ride. The C5 is reflective of all things that have made Citroen one of the world's most innovative car makers. Memories of the DS of the mid-1950s, which brought self-levelling, hydraulic, hydropneumatic suspension to the European masses, are revived. The Hydractive 3 suspension adjusts the ride height of the C5 according to road speed. Variations of up to 15mm at the nose and 11mm in the rear give greater controllability foremost and also can help fuel efficiency through better aerodynamics. Ride and handling are outstanding and while there remains a slight delay in power production, once the turbos spool-up the C5 becomes extremely responsive. This new turbo system is based on two fixed geometry turbochargers of identical size. Each one supplies around half the air input required at high engine speeds. This extends the operating range of the turbochargers and improves engine performance at both high and low speeds. At low revs, below 2700rpm, only one turbocharger is working. This low inertia turbocharger delivers almost instant response, as well as providing up to 40 per cent more torque than the previous 2.2 HDi engine. At engine rpm over 2700, the second turbocharger kicks in to supply the increased air intake required at higher engine speeds. At your disposal is 125kW of power but where this C5 gets its kick is that a relatively massive 400Nm of torque is available from as little as 1750rpm. Fuel mileage with this diesel remained at 8.1litres/100km in a test, which combined about 240km of slow city running with 200km of highway work. Inside there is plenty of leather trim and the layout of the controls and design of the dash and surrounds remain smart and clean. There are rear seat child restraint anchor points and safety locks on the rear doors. Nothing about the C5 2.2-litre HDI is underwhelming. This car is on the pace in all the key areas. Attention to detail is impressive to the point where the side windows are laminated, blocking out road noise coming from passing traffic. The good thing is that the equipment list is packed with that much stuff that there remain only a few items left to option. If you fancy tarting up your C5 there is the SatNav and phone package for $4000, the electric sunroof for $2000 while metallic paint is available for $750. In summary the C5 is one of the best value premium cars on the market.   Citroen C5 2.2-litre HDI $53,990 Engine: 4 stars Smooth and creamy with heaps of low to mid-range torque Transmission: 4 stars Six-speed auto offers good kickdown and is well matched to the motor Handling: 3 stars Steering can be a bit vague but offers good body control in the bends Safety: 4 stars Has about as much electronic and passive gear as is possible Value: 4 stars Performance (check), economy (check), equipment (check), safety (check)   Tech specs Boody: 4-door sedan Engine: 2.2-litre, 16-valve, 4-cylinder twin sequential-turbo diesel Transmission: 6-speed auto with sequential function Power: 125kW @ 4000rpm Torque: 400Nm @ 1750rpm Dimensions (MM): 4743 l, 1780 w, 1476 h, 2750 wheelbase       Verdict For: A massive statement in getting most things right not-the-least, ride quality Against: Still uses old-style tiller and not the fixed hub steering wheel which is now a trademark of Citroen Overall: 4 stars A magic sedan with loads of value  

Being top of the class is just as important for carmakers as it is for school students. Which is why the failure of the Honda Civic hybrid and Skoda Fabia to score the maximum five-star rating in the latest European New Car Assessment Program results may not please their parents. Both small cars achieved a four-star rating out of a possible five, which is above average but not excellent. By comparison, there are plenty of other five-star small cars available, including the latest Peugeot 207, Toyota Corolla, Holden Astra, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Citroen C4 and Fiat Punto. For the Civic and Fabia, the devil is in the detail. The Fabia lost a point for containing dangerous structures in the dashboard, which presented an injury risk to adult occupants. It also lost two points for child protection and scored two stars in the ever under-performing pedestrian protection category. The Civic hybrid lost a point for adult protection because the driver's airbag did not prevent the dummy's head from connecting with the steering wheel. However, it performed far better for child protection and pedestrian protection. The Civic hybrid is the second environmentally concerned car tested by Euro NCAP. The first was the Toyota Prius in 2004, which managed a five-star score for adult occupant protection. The latest results have been eagerly anticipated because European fleet buyers and consumers are increasingly seeking vehicles with lower CO2 emissions and higher safety scores, to benefit from the growing use of tax incentives. Euro NCAP's secretary-general, Adrian Hobbs, says consumers may ask themselves whether high safety scores and a hybrid powertrain can go hand in hand. “Honda and Toyota have shown they are rising to the challenge in their efforts to meet concerns about safety and global warming,” he says. “It is now up to other manufacturers to follow in their footsteps.” The front-impact test is conducted at 64km/h into an offset deformable barrier, the side-impact test at 50km/h, the pole test 29km/h and the pedestrian tests 40km/h.

Citroen's C4 HDi is even more efficient these days. It is without doubt one of the most frugal diesel passenger cars to reach our shores. This is a fine package with smart, globe-like looks extending to a comfortable and well laid-out interior. The C4 is now armed with a trick transmission called EGS (Electronic Gearbox System). It comes with an extra cog (sixth) and as such is even kinder at the bowser than the manual equivalent. But the EGS is a devil of a transmission to use if you try to treat it like a normal automatic, which of course it is not. Let it change itself and it lurches and becomes clumsy. You almost find yourself screaming at the shifter, “change any time you like as long as its sometime today”. But the fact is this transmission needs driver intervention to smooth it out and enable it to become user-friendly. Use either the shifter or the paddles mounted on the fixed hub steering wheel and a little throttle discipline, gear changes are lightning fast and almost seamless. On this test of over 600km, the C4 was using about 5litres/100km, according to the onboard computer's figures. It is far superior to the manual C4 diesel, which we compared and tested last year, it finished at 6.25litres/100km after over 400km of testing. There is a sport button which tightens up shift changes for a sharper drive. This gearbox is clever, bit of work, but some would argue that it may be a bit too clever for its own good. Simply leaving it as a automatic device brings out its weakness. It is frustrating and at times can take the driver by surprise at low speed. A case in point was in a multi-storey car park going up a small ramp to another level, when the EGS decided to change from second to first with the car virtually coming to a stop in the process. It is not a gearbox for those who just want to turn the key, press the throttle, and be done with it. Driver involvement is required and once you learn the little idiosyncrasies it is quite an enjoyable little jigger. Inside, Citroen have nailed the ergonomics with user-friendly controls which are easily accessed. It is a comfortable cabin and the ride is cushy. The C4's handling is OK, although the steering feel is not as perfect as rival European hatches. Brake pedal feel is strong and the stopping performance is quite impressive in emergency situations. This is a well rounded package with lots of active and passive safety equipment. For those seeking the frugal alternative without forsaking fruity performance, the C4 HDi EGS is worth discovering.   Citroen C4 1.6litre HDi EGS $30,990 Engine:  4 stars  Develops strong torque from mid-range Transmission: 3 stars A bit clumsy in auto mode Handling: 3 stars Brilliant ride, steering a little vague at times Safety:  3 stars Well kitted out with active and passive gear value: 3 stars $1k more than the equivalent manual could be contentious to some Tech specs Body: 5-door hatch Engine: 1.6litre turbo diesel Transmission: 6-speed Electronic Gearbox System (EGS) Power: 80kW @ 4000rpm Torque: 240Nm @ 1750rpm Tyres: 16-inch Verdict for: frugal, neat, practical Against: Gearbox won't be for everyone Smart option for those who do the miles to benefit from its fuel sipping habits  

In the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) results this week, the Toyota Aurion, Toyota Camry and Holden Commodore all received a four-star safety rating, adding to the previously tested four-star performers, the Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi 380. NRMA Motoring and Services Vehicle Safety Expert, Jack Haley says most of these cars failed to reach a top rating because of the lack of side curtain airbags. The Toyota Aurion is the only car equipped with side head protection as standard, but Haley says Toyota chose not to proceed with an optional pole test. This meant they were unable to score five stars in the overall testing. The testing involved the top-selling version of each model and Haley says the other large cars offered curtain airbags as an option, but not as a standard feature in the models tested. “Obviously our aim is to get all cars up to a five-star safety rating,” Haley says. “We'd like to see curtain airbags in all vehicles and we would also like to see stability control as standard.” The Toyota Aurion and Holden Commodore have stability control as standard, but it is only an option in various other family cars. But Haley says stability control didn't contribute to the ANCAP testing, as the results show how a car performs in a crash, whereas stability control is an active accident-prevention device. Each car underwent three main areas of testing under ANCAP. They included frontal, side impact and pedestrian tests. Many Japanese and European cars have already received a five-star rating in the European version of testing, known as the EuroNCAP. They include the Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 207, Ford Focus XR5, Land Rover Freelander 2, Citroen Picasso, Mitsubishi Outlander, Volvo C30, VW Passat and Mini Cooper. Most of these models were tested as top-of-the-range, whereas in Australia the extra airbags are optional on some models. ANCAP advises motorists to buy vehicles with a full six-airbag package, including side head protection and electronic stability control. The Toyota Tarago and Mitsubishi Triton also scored a four-star rating in the recent testing, an improvement for the Triton, which is up from a previously low two-star rating. The Hyundai Accent scored three stars and the Mitsubishi Express van scored poorly with just one star.   STAR RATINGS     Source: ANCAP 2007  

With fuel prices again marching upwards, buyers are looking for the most fuel-efficient cars and car companies are turning to the baby brigade to meet the growing demand. Toyota, Citroen, Peugeot, Fiat and Suzuki are all looking at options from their international model range with engines as small as 1.0-litre. Toyota chairman emeritus John Conomos wants a smaller model than its current baby, the Yaris, and an SUV to sit under the RAV4. The hot favourite for the smallest player in the Toyota garage is the Aygo, a 1.0-litre model available as a three or five-door hatch built in the Czech Republic as a joint venture with Citroen and Peugeot. The three companies market almost identical versions of the car, Toyota badging it the Aygo, Citroen the C1 and Peugeot the 107. Peugeot Australia is looking closely at the 107 but spokesman Mathew McCauley says plans are far from confirmed. “We originally felt we had the area covered when the 206 and 207 were going to be sold side by side,” McCauley says. “Now that we can't get the 206 in right-hand-drive we have to look at a different strategy and the 107 is certainly part of that planning.” While McCauley wouldn't speculate on when the 107 may be available in Australia, any decision to bring the car to these shores will be made quickly and it could be on sale before the end of the year. Citroen is far more reticent about the chances of the C1 making it to Australia. “The twin issues with considering the C1 for Australia are availability and price,” Citroen importer Ateco Automotive spokesman Edward Rowe says. “We already have the C2, C3 and C3 Pluriel, which are all essentially in the same class but appeal to different types of buyers.” Fiat, another Ateco brand, will definitely be offering its revival of the classic 500 Bambino, which will launch in Europe in July and be on sale in Australia next March. “The Fiat 500 will be launched here with both a petrol and diesel option,” Rowe says. While Rowe denies there are any firm plans for a hot Arbath performance derivative of the Fiat, European sources suggest it is a certainty with a 110kW 1.4-litre turbo powerplant upgrading the famous vehicle. Also in the mix is the imminent arrival of a yet-to-be-named Chinese-manufactured model, which will attack the bottom end of the market in both size and price. “That will be a definite area in which the Chinese models will have an influence,” Rowe says. Ateco is expected to lead the way in landing Chinese-manufactured cars in the Australian market by next year. Toyota's dilemma is that its original small cars have either grown to outsize their original concept or disappeared entirely from the market as in the case of the Daihatsu Sirion. Both the Yaris — nee Echo — and RAV4 have grown markedly since their original model launches. RAV4 started as a 2.0-litre three-door and soon its five-door body will get a 3.5-litre V6 engine. Conomos says a small SUV that equated to the size of the original RAV4 was under development in Japan. “A 2.0-litre SUV would be ideal for us because that segment of the market is growing,” he says. Conomos indicates a car smaller than the Yaris would be welcome, but says buyers in the light-car segment are extremely price sensitive. “It would be difficult for a Japanese car to compete on price in that segment,” he says. “We also have to ensure that any Toyota car coming into Australia meets our quality, reliability, durability and equipment criteria.” If the Aygo was introduced it would sell from about $12,000. Suzuki, meanwhile is considering bringing its baby Splash to Australia. It has both 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engines and a 1.3-litre diesel.